Attraction for Amusement Rides Based on Motion Simulation

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an attraction for amusement rides based on motion simulation, including a support to be placed in front of a projection screen, a lifting arm that is rotatabely attached to the support, and a frame attached to one end of the lifting arm. The frame comprises one or more pivotable supporting arms having one or more rows of passenger seats mounted thereon. The invention includes a first drive for rotating the lifting arm with respect to the support to move the seats between a boarding position in which the seats are accessible for passengers and a viewing position in which the seats face the projection screen and means for moving the seats relative to the projection screen in the viewing position in accordance with a sequence of images displayed on the projection screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attraction for amusement rides basedon motion simulation. In motion simulators, mechanical motion iscombined with visual display to provide passengers with the experienceof being in a vehicle moving over land or water or through the sky. Thepresent invention is more specifically related to an attraction foramusement rides based on motion simulation that is suitable as a mobileattraction, for instance a fairground attraction, and as a fixedattraction, for instance an amusement park attraction, or for use at atheme park to give the park guests a themed simulation of motion.

In current times, many theme park attractions use motion simulation. Socalled 4D films are shown in theater systems of which the seats can beset in motion relative to a projection screen present in front of themoving seats. The effect of the motion simulation remains limited, asthe viewers of 4D films remain on the ground during the simulation.

In one type of known simulator, carriages or mobile cranes are movedalong a track passing themed scenes and projection screens. These knownrides offer a more intense effect, but still passengers remain aware oftheir surroundings. Furthermore these known simulator rides have acomplex design and generally occupy a large amount of space. In thistype of known simulator ride, the necessary mechanical movements aretypically more advanced than the visual display itself.

In another type of known simulator ride, seats are moved relative to aprojection screen by guiding them along a fixed hanger structure that issituated in front of a large dome-shaped projection screen. Clearly, inthis type of simulator ride, the visual display is more advanced thanthe mechanical movement, as the latter is limited to the hangerstructure.

This Background section represents the observations of the inventors,which are provided as a guide to the reader in attempting to search forand identify any prior art of interest. However, nothing in thisBackground section is intended to be or to accurately describe suchprior art. In particular, the reader interested in prior art is advisedto perform a prior art search, using the foregoing only as a searchguide, not as prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has for its object to provide an attraction foramusement rides based on motion simulation that offers passengers afully immersive experience using advanced visual display in combinationwith advanced mechanical movement. The illustrated embodiment of theinvention comprises a projection screen, a support to be placed in frontof a projection screen, and a lifting arm that is rotatabely attached tothe support. A frame is attached to one end of the lifting arm, theframe comprising one or more pivotable supporting arms having one ormore rows of passenger seats mounted thereon. A first drive is providedfor rotating the lifting arm with respect to the support to move theseats between a boarding position in which the seats are accessible forpassengers and a viewing position in which the seats face the projectionscreen. The exemplary embodiment further includes means for moving theseats relative to the projection screen in the viewing position inaccordance with a sequence of images displayed on the projection screen.

The rotatable lifting arm allows for a more advanced mechanical movementof the seats. During movement of the seats from the boarding position ofthe attraction to the viewing position, the rotation of the seatsprovides the passengers with an additional sensation at the beginning ofthe ride. In the viewing position, the rotatable lifting arm provides anextra degree of freedom of mechanical movement in synchronization withmaterial being shown on the visual display. Preferably, the seats faceaway from the projection screen in the boarding position, thus enhancingthe extra sensation by adding a surprising effect when moving to theviewing position. In the preferred embodiment, the seats follow at leastpart of a helical path during movement to the viewing position causingthe passengers to spiral upwards towards the projection screen.

According to an even more sensational preferred embodiment, the frame isrotatably attached to the lifting arm. The rotating frame offers anextra degree of freedom of mechanical movement of the seats duringmovement towards the viewing position, as well as after the seats are inthe viewing position.

The attraction allows the seats to follow a natural continuous path in afurther preferred embodiment wherein the first drive is arranged torotate the lifting arm over 360 degrees. To achieve a highly effectiveimmersive experience for the passengers, the projection screen is adome-shaped projection screen offering an uninterrupted visual display.In keeping with a practical preferred embodiment, the supporting armsare situated in pairs relative to a longitudinal direction of the frame,wherein each supporting arm has a row of passenger seats mountedthereon. Advantageously, the seats are oriented in substantiallyparallel rows facing the same direction as in a theatre.

Depending on the surroundings, the attraction may comprise a seconddrive for tilting the lifting arm to move the seats between the boardingposition and an intermediate position in which the seats are elevatedand wherein the first drive is arranged to move the seats between theintermediate position and the viewing position. The seats may now rotatewithout the risk of touching objects on the ground, such as a platform.Such a platform may be comprised in the attraction onto which platformthe projection screen and the support are placed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to theaccompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first preferred embodiment of themotion simulator, according to an embodiment of the invention, when inthe boarding position;

FIG. 2 shows the motion simulator of FIG. 1 in the intermediateoperating position; and

FIG. 3 shows the motion simulator of FIG. 1 in the viewing position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an attraction for amusementrides according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment. TheAttraction 1 is a motion simulator suitable as a mobile attraction, forinstance as a fairground attraction, and as fixed attraction, forinstance as an amusement park attraction. FIG. 1 shows the attraction 1in the boarding position, while FIGS. 2 and 3 show the attraction 1 inoperation in an intermediate position and in a viewing positionrespectively.

In the boarding position, seats 10 are accessible to the passengers. Inthe preferred embodiment shown, attraction 1 is provided with a platform101. This platform 101 allows passengers to board the seats 10. In theshown preferred embodiment, seats 10 are received in rows. For safetypurposes the seats 10 are provided with safety bars.

In the figures, a dome-shaped projection screen 100 is shown. Projectionscreen 100 is situated at one side of the platform 101 and is preferablyattached to the platform. Projection screen 100 is suitable forreceiving video signals and projecting the video signals as sharp imagesin a large format. Generally the video signals are accompanied by audiosignals that will be broadcasted simultaneously. Suitable techniques areavailable in the relevant art, for example IMAX technology.

A support, in the form of an upright or mast 2, is placed in front ofthe projection screen 100. Preferably the mast 2 is situated on theplatform 101 and extends in substantially vertical direction withrespect to the platform 101.

A lifting arm 5 is mounted on the mast 2, such that it can rotate aroundan axis of rotation R1. In the preferred embodiment shown, the liftingarm 5 can be rotated by means of a first drive 6 with respect to themast 2. The first drive 6 preferably comprises an electric motor, abearing and/or a gear rim. Preferably the lifting arm 5 is configured tobe tilted around pivot point or hinge S1 on mast 2 by means of a seconddrive 7. The second drive 7 comprises hydraulic cylinders in anembodiment.

As noted above, a frame 3 is attached to one end of the lifting arm 5.The frame 3 comprises one main longitudinal bar to which a number oftransverse bars 14 are attached at a predefined mutual distance. In thepreferred embodiment shown, three transverse bars 14 are attached to theframe 3. Each transverse bar 14 carries supporting arms 4 at its outerend. The supporting arms 4 are pivotally attached to the transverse bars14 at pivot points or hinges S2. Each supporting arm 4 has a row ofpassenger seats 10 mounted thereon. The seats 10 are arranged in pairsof rows as in a theatre. Preferably the frame 3 is rotatabely attachedto the lifting arm 5 and can rotate around an axis of rotation R2.

Frame 3 is also referred to herein as a gondola frame. The gondola frame3 takes up a substantially horizontal orientation in the boardingposition. The seats 10 are freely pivotable and automatically take up alevel orientation. In the preferred embodiment shown, all seats 10 faceaway from the projection screen 100 in the boarding position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting arm 5 is tilted to an intermediateposition in which the seats 10 are elevated with respect to a ground orresting surface, in this example with respect to platform 101. In thisposition, the gondola frame 3 takes up a tilted orientation. The seats10 automatically take up a level orientation as they are freelypivotable around transverse bars 14. The passenger seats 10 may stillface away from projection screen 100, but may also be rotated aroundrotation axis R2 towards projection screen 100. Cylinders 7 of thesecond drive are locked in position ensuring that lifting arm 5maintains its tilted intermediate position.

As shown in FIG. 3, lifting arm 5 is rotated by first drive 6 towardsthe viewing position. During rotation, the seats 10 follow a semicircle, but are also moved upwards due to the tilted orientation of thelifting arm 5. The movement of the seats 10 can best be described asfollowing part of a helical path. In the viewing position, the gondolaframe 3 takes up a substantially vertical orientation. As the supportingarms 4 are freely pivotable, the seats will take up a level orientationand are positioned substantially in parallel rows, one above the otherin this position. While the system is in this position, all passengersin attraction 1 have an unobstructed view on projection screen 100.

While in the viewing position, the seats 10 may be moved relative to theprojection screen 100 in accordance with a sequence of images displayedon the projection screen 100. Suitable means for coordinating themechanical movement of the seats 10 with the visual experience are knownin the relevant art. The attraction according to the invention allowsfor moving the seats 10 with many degrees of freedom of movementsupporting an optimal coordination of mechanical movement and visualdisplay. Mechanical movement can be realized by actuating anycombination of: the pivoting points S2 of supporting arms 4 on bars 14,the rotation of frame 3 around rotation axis R2, the rotation of liftingarm 5 around axis R1 and the pivoting point S1 defining the tiltedorientation of lifting arm 5 with respect to mast 2.

Optionally, an additional degree of freedom of movement can be providedin the longitudinal direction of the supporting arms 4 as indicated byarrow R3. Such rectilinear or vertical guidance can, among others, berealized by means of a telescopic construction and/or a spring-loadedconstruction of the supporting arms 4.

In addition to the above mechanical motion, other tactile effects can beadded to enhance the sensation of the passengers. For example, an airflow can be blown towards the passengers in the seats. This air flow maycontain a scent suited to the displayed images. Moreover, instead of airor in combination with air, water can be sprayed in the direction of thepassengers' seats. The motion simulation can thus be made even morerealistic using these additional techniques that are known per se in therelevant art.

Near the end of the ride, the seats need to return to the boardingposition so the passengers can leave the attraction 1. In the preferredembodiment shown, lifting arm 5 is rotated by first drive 6 with respectto support 2. The first drive 6 may be arranged to rotate the liftingarm 5 over 360 degrees to the intermediate position. Alternatively, thefirst drive 6 may return the lifting arm 5 to the intermediate positionby rotating the lifting arm 5 backwards over 180 degrees along the samehelical path. The electromotor may then be replaced by additionalhydraulic cylinders. In the intermediate position, the cylinders of thesecond drive 7 will be unlocked and may return the lifting arm 5 to theboarding position.

It is noted that the second drive 7 is optional and may be dispensedwith, for instance in the event a retracting platform is used. Theattraction 1 may then be moved between two positions by rotation: theboarding position and the viewing position.

The present invention is of course not limited to the shown anddescribed embodiments, but comprises any variations evident to theskilled person that fall within scope of protection of the appendedclaims as seen in the light of the accompanying figures.

1. An attraction for amusement rides based on motion simulation,comprising a support configured for placement in front of a projectionscreen; a lifting arm that is rotatabely attached to the support; aframe attached to one end of the lifting arm, wherein the framecomprises one or more pivotable supporting arms having one or more rowsof passenger seats mounted thereon; a first drive for rotating thelifting arm with respect to the support to move the seats between aboarding position in which the seats are accessible for passengers and aviewing position in which the seats face the projection screen; andmeans for moving the seats relative to the projection screen in theviewing position in accordance with a sequence of images displayed onthe projection screen.
 2. The attraction as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe attraction comprises a second drive for tilting the lifting arm tomove the seats between the boarding position and an intermediateposition in which the seats are elevated and wherein the first drive isarranged to move the seats between the intermediate position and theviewing position.
 3. The attraction as claimed in claim 1, wherein theseats face away from the projection screen in the boarding position. 4.The attraction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seats follow at leastpart of a helical path during movement to the viewing position.
 5. Theattraction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is rotatabelyattached to the lifting arm.
 6. The attraction as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first drive is arranged to rotate the lifting arm greaterthan 360 degrees.
 7. The attraction as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesupporting arms are situated in pairs as seen in a longitudinaldirection of the frame, wherein each supporting arm has a row ofpassenger seats mounted thereon.
 8. The attraction as claimed in claim1, further comprising a projection screen, wherein the projection screenis a dome-shaped projection screen.
 9. The attraction as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the attraction further comprises a platform onto whichthe support is placed.
 10. The attraction as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe projection screen is placed against one end of the platform.